Real Salt Lake announces new deals for four players
by denz on Feb 9, 2012 6:53 PM MST
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PrintSo I have told you all along that I was very confident that RSL would indeed be able to resign Fabian Espindola (sorry to all those LA fans who wanted us to trade him to you) and Ned Grabavoy, as well as make the loans of Yordany Alvarez and Paulo Jr work out (wasn't sure if it would be new loans or permanent moves). Well today the announcement was made:
REAL SALT LAKE BRINGS BACK FOUR KEY COGS FOR 2012 AND BEYOND
Re-signing of FW Fabian Espíndola & MF Ned Grabavoy Helps RSL Keep Core Group Intact Heading into 2012 Campaign; RSL Also Purchases Contracts of MF Yordany Alvarez and FW Paulo Jr. from USL PRO Sides
SANDY, Utah (Thursday, February 9, 2012) - Real Salt Lake today officially announced the return of four players - MF Yordany Alvarez, FW Fabian Espíndola, MFNed Grabavoy and FW Paulo Jr. - ahead of the squad's 2012 Major League Soccer campaign. Per club policy, financial terms for the deals will not be disclosed.
"This offseason was perhaps the most challenging in recent years when it came to keeping together the core and identity of Real Salt Lake," said RSL General ManagerGarth Lagerwey. "While we could not help but lose some valuable contributors, in Fabian Espíndola and Ned Grabavoy we return two players that not only combined for more than 100 starts over the last three seasons, but provide qualities on the field and in the locker room that can't be measured. With the long-term additions of Yordany Alvarez and Paulo Jr., we lock down two starting-caliber players to provide cover at key positions, depth that will be sorely needed to compete at a high level in every competition we enter."
The rest of the press release after the jump:
RSL accomplished one of its main offseason objectives by agreeing to a new four-year contract with Espíndola. The club retained the services of Espindola after his breakout 2011 season, during which the Argentine striker notched MLS career highs in goals (10), assists (3), games played (27), games started (25), shots (62) and shots on goal (31). The 26-year-old Espindola finished the season listed on MLS' top ten rankings in shots on goal (T-8th) and shot percentage (50.0%, T-4th), while his 10 tallies made him one of just 15 players across the league to reach double-digit goals and placed just one behind fellow strike-mate Álvaro Saborío for the team lead.
Since joining the Claret-and-Cobalt midway through the 2007 season, Espindola has knocked home 26 goals in regular season play, second only to Robbie Findley (29) on the club's career chart, and added 10 assists in 95 regular season appearances (77 starts).
"It feels great to be able to continue my career with Real Salt Lake. The negotiations were difficult at times, but I'm glad we could come to an agreement that worked out for both myself and the club," said Espindola. "It means a lot to me to return to RSL, to Utah. I know the guys well and we've got a great group here, one that can fight for every trophy that is in front of us, and that's very, very important to me."
The new contract for Grabavoy is a three-year deal that will keep the influential midfielder in Claret-and-Cobalt through the 2014 season. Since joining Real Salt Lake just prior to its 2009 campaign, the 28-year-old Grabavoy has started 47 of his 68 regular season appearances, scoring three goals and adding three assists. The versatile midfielder collected the second-most starts (21), appearances (25) and minutes played (1,899) of his eight MLS seasons for RSL in 2011, and also came off the bench during all three of the squad's MLS Cup Playoff appearances, adding a pivotal goal in the postseason opener against Seattle in the process.
The New Lenox, Ill., native has tallied eight goals and 17 assists in 162 regular season appearances (117 starts) on behalf of the LA Galaxy (2004-06), Columbus Crew (2006-07), San Jose Earthquakes (2008) and Real Salt Lake (2009-present) since being drafted in the second round (14th overall) by Los Angeles in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
"I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to continue my career with Real Salt Lake, and I'm excited to find myself in a great situation for continued success," said Grabavoy. "I want to thank the RSL ownership and management and the coaching staff for not just showing a commitment to me, but for doing everything possible to display a complete and successful product every season. I believe we have the right pieces in place to do some special things, including bringing another championship to our deserving fans."
The new three-year contract for Alvarez comes after Real Salt Lake exercised a purchase option following the expiration of his loan agreement from Orlando City S.C. of the USL PRO League. The 26-year-old holding midfielder joined RSL at the signing deadline last Sept. 15 and started four of his five appearances down the stretch while captain Kyle Beckerman was unavailable due to national team call-ups and suspension.
Alvarez's move to Utah last fall followed on the heels of his standout season for Orlando City S.C., during which he helped the squad to the USL PRO League's regular season title and playoff championship and garnered the league's Most Valuable Player honor. The one-time Cuban international, who defected while in the U.S. during the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, received his United States Green Card during the offseason and thus will not occupy an International Player slot on the RSL roster.
"I'm thankful to both Real Salt Lake and Orlando City for coming to an agreement that allows me to be a full member of the RSL squad, and I value the opportunity to work hard and prepare for the start of the season," said Alvarez. "Getting to play after arriving last fall not only gives me great comfort with the rest of the group for this year, and also the confidence that I can succeed at the MLS level. Knowing that there will be opportunities to perform at points this season just makes me want to work all that much harder to step in and do well for the club."
Real Salt Lake will also retain the services of Paulo Jr. for the next three seasons after purchasing his rights from USL PRO side Miami FC, from where RSL originally brought him over via a loan deal back in September of 2010. After bursting onto the scene during CONCACAF Champions League play shortly after his arrival in fall 2010, last season saw the diminutive Brazilian suffer from persistent hamstring and hip flexor injuries across the summer that limited him to a pair of goals and four assists in just 11 appearances (5 starts) in MLS play.
"I'm very happy to be back with Real Salt Lake and to get a fresh start to a new season," Paulo Jr. said. "I plan on continuing to work hard and stay healthy moving forward, and when I accomplish those goals I know I will be able to contribute great things to the club."
I think each of these moves is huge for RSL, we have seen that while some teams build their rosters by signing a few huge names and then getting a revolving door of support players around them, RSL has built their core team and worked very hard given the salary cap and roster restrictions to keep that core and to be able to reward them with new deals to help build our team by keeping those who give so much on the pitch and off it to make the organization a successful one. This isn't easy to do, and while we saw 9 players depart in this off-season (the most since our 2009 MLS Cup win), it is clear that some of those moves were made to so the team could complete these deals and try to continue the high level of performance that the team has become known for.
Things like this don't just happen it is hard work and I want to go on record thanking Jason, Garth, Bill and all the RSL staff for doing their best to keep RSL going in a positive direction.
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Are they a better team now than last year?
The question is: are they better now than they were at the start of last year and how will they fare in the west? LA has made strides forward offensively (resigning Beckham, Juninho, signing Buddle, Keane, etc.) since the start of last season. RSL has added one Alvarez and lost another… they have also lost Warner and Williams. Historically new draft picks make minimal contributions in Kreis’ system in their first year (though Martinez may be an exception to this rule)… it seems LA has done more to improve over last year than RSL. So can you give me some hope RSL can compete w/ LA (and Sea) in 2012? A healthy Morales will make a difference, but will it make enough of a difference to offset LA’s additions and RSL’s losses?
I would like to think that “hard work” and “the RSL way” will pay off, but it is hard to overcome such a huge payroll disadvantage. That said, hope springs eternal. Especially in February.
So that is a great question
Are we better than we were last year? One would say the difference could be as simply as health, Javier, Sabo, Olave, Borchers, Beltran, Wingert, Beckerman, Paulo Jr, Anroux, Agorosor, each of them missed chunks of the season last year due to injuries. Is there a doubt in your mind as a RSL fan that with both Olave and Borchers at 100%, that we don’t beat LA in the Western Conference final? There really isn’t in mine, I think if you put those two in the lineup at full fitness, we win that match probably 7 of 10 times, I think we win that match 9 of 10 after scoring the first goal with those two in the lineup and healthy.
So what is likely to change from last year to this, I doubt that we will see Javier Morales play just 5 1/3 matches at full fitness, that alone is probably worth a couple win. I doubt we see Paulo Jr. only play 468 minutes in 2012, oh and in those minutes he had 2 goals and 4 assists, so say he doubles the minutes played and other numbers, that is probably worth a couple wins. Those two factors with nothing else, make me believe that RSL will be a better team. Oh and I would add in that I expect to see even more improvement from Luis Gil in 2012.
What those two factors don’t account for is depth, that is where RSL will be hit the hardest and that is where all the things we can’t plan for will come into play, and will probably determine the outcome of the year for RSL. So Luis Gil adds quality and depth, Yordany Alvarez adds depth and quality, a healthy Cody Arnoux adds huge depth and quality. I do think that you will see at least 2 of our new players (draft picks, trades, trialists) make a bigger contribution than most fans would expect, I think we have some young guys who are hungry, they believe in what RSL is about, that the team is the star, and that could be a huge difference maker for us.
Will it be enough? I don’t know but we have to remember that LA lost Donovan Ricketts, lost Chris Birchall, have lost Omar Gonzalez for at least most of the season, and are relying on a 36 yr old midfielder with a history of injuries(he has only played more than 11 matches twice in 5 years with LA), yeah their budget is incredible, but this team lacks depth and that is the problem with putting 1/3 of your salary cap into just 3 players. Only time will tell but I like what I see.
I see what you're saying...
But I don’t think LA’s stalwart salary is enough to necessarily offset a healthy RSL. RSL, Seattle, Dallas (with a healthy Ferreira)and LA are all very much on the same side of the coin, so to speak, in their attack, midfield, and defense. I’d say, that LA without Gonzalez will be a big break for the rest of the league. Saunders has been shown still to be a very “rookie” capable GK. Rimando and Hartman are definitely the best in the west. However, we will have a healthy Borchers and Olave to track down those expensive threats that LA will be hammering the league with. Mind you, LA is the kind of team that will sit on a one goal advantage, and they most easily give up goals immediately after they are scored on.
I think we have an advantage, so to speak, with our core of versatile and smart players. I also believe that the media boasting LA’s “unbeatable-ness” will be something for Kreis to get the boys pumped up with when we play them. When we play our game, we’re unstoppable. Kreis knows this. LA are focused on their poise in the media, their beautiful white jerseys, and players with beautiful hair. We obviously have a different mind set from theirs. Sporting, Seattle, Dallas, and ourselves will be their to put them in their place. You just have to have faith in Kreis.
LA
The fact that LA will have Keene from the beginning of the season AND are now adding Buddle again makes me pretty nervous. Keene is still scoring goals at an EPL level, and Buddle has the experience with the team already. They lost Omar for a bit, but I think offensively they are going to be a juggernaut. 2 of the best set up players in the league (Beckham and Donovan) and 2 (historically) great forwards is going to be pretty beastly.
Now, obviously the other good teams in the league were able to compete with LA last year. RSL had a great chance of beating them if not for injuries (isn’t that every team’s excuse though?). I think we can compete again this year, but it’s obvious that LA has taken a step up this year from last year.
fwiw
I think RSL has improved from last year as well. I really thought Paulo Jr was going to be huge last year, but his injury ruined that. Again, I think he’s going to be huge this year. Having Morales for (hopefully) the full season will be like having a new all star on the team. So, I think RSL has “added” some high quality attacking players as well and kept it’s defense (mostly) in tact. Beltran was a great starter, and I think he’ll be even better this year. Should be a good battle between RSL and LA for top in the west, with FCD and Sounders also in the mix.
Yes, LA has taken a step up
And I believe them to be poised for “juggernaut” status, but the rest of the league is going to make it a mission to stop them. Not that this has any forward effect on them, but still. RSL was the team to beat last year and our injuries didn’t help the situation. LA now have the target on their back. I think the league and RSL will rally around the belief that this is a parity driven system and do everything they can to shut down the Gals.
by mattymuchacho on Feb 11, 2012 8:52 PM MST up reply actions
RSL v. LA, Sea
If the question is: what has changed since the middle of last season, then yes, RSL has improved as players have gotten healthy. But if you look at the beginning of last season, RSL is starting where they were last year, minus some depth and experience, plus Alvarez and Arnoux. LA is probably better offensively but worse defensively.
That said, Denzel’s points are good ones and RSL did beat LA with everyone healthy 4-1, so there is certainly reason to be optimistic. Based solely on the twitter feed from today’s match with Vancouver, it looks like Martinez may make significant positive contributions. I would like to see RSL have a few games under their belts before playing LA, but it is what it is.
How is it that 4 of the 6 matches against LA and Seattle are on the road? Unfortunate. Hopefully we’ll host them in the second leg of playoff series….
with the new schedule
We should be hosting 2 of the 3 matches against both LA and Seattle next year, if there isn’t some type of change made to the schedule(not holding my breath on that).
I would say if you look back at the 2008 Galaxy you see that offense alone simply isn’t enough, you have to play solid defense as well, and that is something LA was able to do when they got ahead of teams over the last couple years but LA really struggled to come from behind. With the departure of guys like Birchall and Berhalter, I could easily see the Galaxy looking a lot more like the NYRB in 2012 than they did last year, the injury to Gonzalez will also really hurt them (he was the defender of the year last year).
I don’t think that it will be nearly as easy for LA as many of the “pundits & experts” do, it is a long season that will get even longer and with Donovan taking no break, Keane taking no break, Beckham going on break for the Olympics & random weddings, the success or failure of LA is much more likely going to be determined by guys like Magee, Franklin and Saunders than those other names.
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